They all sat down to share tea while Harry played with the Reynolds children, who were both a little older than Harry and did well at keeping him entertained and out of trouble. Mrs. Reynolds was full of kind and polite questions about their experiences in India and about how they’d come to be married. She declared that they were a beautiful couple, and noticing the obvious evidence that Amala was expecting, she predicted it would be a beautiful child and live a life of adventure and surely do great things in the world. Amala squeezed Henry’s hand, feeling as if this woman had just soothed some of her fears away in regard to the future of their children. He squeezed back as if he understood.

Amala loved answering this woman’s questions, and for the first time since Kat’s death, she felt the possibility of actually having a friend in her life. Given that the Reynolds family had only recently moved here, this woman seemed in want of good company, and her love of India had already given them common ground. Her absolute lack of prejudice—much like her husband—made her easy to be with and easy to like. It was as if these people didn’t even see the difference of color between Amala and Henry, and Amala felt as if the windows of heaven had opened. She knew in her heart that everything in their lives was just as it should be, and the journey ahead—whatever difficulties might arise—would be filled with joy and satisfaction.

As Henry and Amala walked back through the cemetery toward the carriage—pausing for another moment at Kat’s grave—Amala was again overcome with the sensation that she could see the world around her with more clarity, with all its beauty enhanced and more vivid. She looked at Henry walking beside her, a sleeping Harry cradled in his strong arms, and she couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful than the family they had become.

About the Author

Anita Stansfield has more than fifty published books and is the recipient of many awards, including two lifetime achievement awards. Her books go far beyond being enjoyable, memorable stories. Anita resonates particularly well with a broad range of devoted readers because of her sensitive and insightful examination of contemporary issues that are faced by many of those readers, even when her venue is a historical romance. Readers come away from her compelling stories equipped with new ideas about how to enrich their own lives, regardless of their circumstances.

Anita was born and raised in Provo, Utah. She is the mother of five and has a growing number of grandchildren. She also writes for the general trade market under the name Elizabeth D. Michaels.